From:      "Jim Recktenwald" jarec@eastky.net
To:        ntia
Date:      Wed, Apr 12, 2000 12:21 PM
Subject:   Local and small market access to local 
television broadcast signals--Comment, Docket no. 000208032-0032-01

In response to question 1: the mountainous nature 
of our area makes satellite, enhancements to
terrestrial digital TV, wireless cable...and all 
other technological means very necessary to assure
that we have equal access to the economic and 
informational advantages of television.  In
addition, many of our people rely on television 
for news about their world.  Too often, they are
better informed about national or state issues 
than they are about local concerns.  This has had a
major impact upon voter turnout in local elections.  
What is generally referred to as "voter
apathy" may be nothing more than anger and 
disgust that voters are cut off from information
about national issues as these are filtered out 
in local electoral politics.  

In response to question 4: yes, a variety of 
technologies is necessary to assure delivery of  local
television service, since terrain and  local 
economy are so restrictive of access. 

In response to question 5: there are economic impediments 
for local TV service providers as well
as to local viewers.  Viewers may have access to one 
form of technology, only to find that it is
not served by the signal provider.  On the other hand, 
local providers are functioning in a market
bounded by poverty, unemployment, scarcity of 
advertisers, and relatively higher production
costs.  Any policy change requiring greater 
flexibility of the providers must be accompanied by
technical and financial incentives--or risk 
further impoverishment of the local broadcast
infrastructure--by driving out local entrepreneurs.

In response to questions 7 and 8: Legal measures 
must be reviewed for the impact that they will
have on local access stations and providers--since 
they will have a direct influence on decisions
being made by local businesses to continue in the 
broadcast field.  We cannot afford to be any
less locally owned than we already are.

Thank you, James F. Recktenwald  (3 First Ave., Dwale, Ky. 41621)